Students pledge to remain drug-free (video)

RED RIBBON WEEK

The National Family Partnership organized the first nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1985 and sponsors the annual National Red Ribbon Celebration. Since its beginning, the red ribbon campaign has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.

In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness to the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Williams said because of budget cuts suffered by Mid-Coast Family Services, a former partner of the district's Red Ribbon Week events, the number of educational opportunities for the students decreased this year.

"Unfortunately, that's true," said Ginny Stafford, Mid-Coast Family Services CEO. "We used to do a big production with kids in the area, but because we lost about half of our funding this year, we didn't have enough staff to do it."

But they were able to do some programs.

"They're still doing things around their campuses," Stafford said. "Some of them are doing pledge walls, and we're actually working on a zoo event."